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Revision 1.10 by root, Fri Mar 23 17:40:29 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.23 by root, Sun Mar 25 21:19:13 2007 UTC

3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast 3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use JSON::XS; 7 use JSON::XS;
8
9 # exported functions, they croak on error
10 # and expect/generate UTF-8
11
12 $utf8_encoded_json_text = to_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref;
13 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = from_json $utf8_encoded_json_text;
14
15 # objToJson and jsonToObj aliases to to_json and from_json
16 # are exported for compatibility to the JSON module,
17 # but should not be used in new code.
18
19 # OO-interface
20
21 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref;
22 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar);
23 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text);
8 24
9=head1 DESCRIPTION 25=head1 DESCRIPTION
10 26
11This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 27This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its
12primary goal is to be I<correct> and its secondary goal is to be 28primary goal is to be I<correct> and its secondary goal is to be
25 41
26=head2 FEATURES 42=head2 FEATURES
27 43
28=over 4 44=over 4
29 45
30=item * correct handling of unicode issues 46=item * correct unicode handling
31 47
32This module knows how to handle Unicode, and even documents how and when 48This module knows how to handle Unicode, and even documents how and when
33it does so. 49it does so.
34 50
35=item * round-trip integrity 51=item * round-trip integrity
36 52
37When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 53When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported
38by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 54by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level.
39(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2"). 55(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks
56like a number).
40 57
41=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 58=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
42 59
43There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON strings by default, 60There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
44and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security 61and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security
45feature). 62feature).
46 63
47=item * fast 64=item * fast
48 65
55interface. 72interface.
56 73
57=item * reasonably versatile output formats 74=item * reasonably versatile output formats
58 75
59You can choose between the most compact guarenteed single-line format 76You can choose between the most compact guarenteed single-line format
60possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format (for 77possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format
61when your transport is not 8-bit clean), or a pretty-printed format (for 78(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole
62when you want to read that stuff). Or you can combine those features in 79unicode range), or a pretty-printed format (for when you want to read that
63whatever way you like. 80stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
64 81
65=back 82=back
66 83
67=cut 84=cut
68 85
69package JSON::XS; 86package JSON::XS;
70 87
88use strict;
89
71BEGIN { 90BEGIN {
72 $VERSION = '0.3'; 91 our $VERSION = '0.8';
73 @ISA = qw(Exporter); 92 our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
74 93
75 @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json); 94 our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json objToJson jsonToObj);
76 require Exporter; 95 require Exporter;
77 96
78 require XSLoader; 97 require XSLoader;
79 XSLoader::load JSON::XS::, $VERSION; 98 XSLoader::load JSON::XS::, $VERSION;
80} 99}
84The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are 103The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are
85exported by default: 104exported by default:
86 105
87=over 4 106=over 4
88 107
89=item $json_string = to_json $perl_scalar 108=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar
90 109
91Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference to 110Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference to
92a hash or array) to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string (that is, the string contains 111a hash or array) to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string (that is, the string contains
93octets only). Croaks on error. 112octets only). Croaks on error.
94 113
95This function call is functionally identical to C<< JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) >>. 114This function call is functionally identical to:
96 115
116 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
117
118except being faster.
119
97=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_string 120=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text
98 121
99The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries to 122The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries to
100parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON string, returning the resulting simple 123parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting simple
101scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 124scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
102 125
103This function call is functionally identical to C<< JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_string) >>. 126This function call is functionally identical to:
127
128 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
129
130except being faster.
104 131
105=back 132=back
133
106 134
107=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE 135=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE
108 136
109The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or 137The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or
110decoding style, within the limits of supported formats. 138decoding style, within the limits of supported formats.
117strings. All boolean flags described below are by default I<disabled>. 145strings. All boolean flags described below are by default I<disabled>.
118 146
119The mutators for flags all return the JSON object again and thus calls can 147The mutators for flags all return the JSON object again and thus calls can
120be chained: 148be chained:
121 149
122 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8(1)->space_after(1)->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 150 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]})
123 => {"a": [1, 2]} 151 => {"a": [1, 2]}
124 152
125=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable]) 153=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
126 154
127If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will 155If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
128not generate characters outside the code range C<0..127>. Any unicode 156generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
129characters outside that range will be escaped using either a single 157unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
130\uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, as per 158single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
131RFC4627. 159as per RFC4627.
132 160
133If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 161If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
134characters unless necessary. 162characters unless required by the JSON syntax. This results in a faster
163and more compact format.
135 164
136 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode (chr 0x10401) 165 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
137 => \ud801\udc01 166 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
138 167
139=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable]) 168=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
140 169
141If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 170If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
142the JSON string into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 171the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
143C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 172C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
144note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 173note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
145range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. 174range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
175versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
176and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
146 177
147If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON 178If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON
148string as a (non-encoded) unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a 179string as a (non-encoded) unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a
149unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs 180unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs
150to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module. 181to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module.
151 182
183Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
184
185 use Encode;
186 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
187
188Example, decode UTF-32LE-encoded JSON:
189
190 use Encode;
191 $object = JSON::XS->new->decode (decode "UTF-32LE", $jsontext);
192
152=item $json = $json->pretty ([$enable]) 193=item $json = $json->pretty ([$enable])
153 194
154This enables (or disables) all of the C<indent>, C<space_before> and 195This enables (or disables) all of the C<indent>, C<space_before> and
155C<space_after> (and in the future possibly more) flags in one call to 196C<space_after> (and in the future possibly more) flags in one call to
156generate the most readable (or most compact) form possible. 197generate the most readable (or most compact) form possible.
198
199Example, pretty-print some simple structure:
157 200
158 my $json = JSON::XS->new->pretty(1)->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 201 my $json = JSON::XS->new->pretty(1)->encode ({a => [1,2]})
159 => 202 =>
160 { 203 {
161 "a" : [ 204 "a" : [
169If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 212If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
170format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 213format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
171into its own line, identing them properly. 214into its own line, identing them properly.
172 215
173If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the 216If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the
174resulting JSON strings is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>. 217resulting JSON text is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>.
175 218
176This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. 219This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
177 220
178=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable]) 221=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
179 222
180If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 223If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
181optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 224optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
182 225
183If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 226If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
184space at those places. 227space at those places.
185 228
186This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. You will also most 229This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. You will also
187likely combine this setting with C<space_after>. 230most likely combine this setting with C<space_after>.
231
232Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
233
234 {"key" :"value"}
188 235
189=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable]) 236=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
190 237
191If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 238If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
192optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects 239optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
194members. 241members.
195 242
196If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 243If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
197space at those places. 244space at those places.
198 245
199This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. 246This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
247
248Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
249
250 {"key": "value"}
200 251
201=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 252=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
202 253
203If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 254If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
204by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 255by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
206If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 257If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
207pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 258pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
208of the same script). 259of the same script).
209 260
210This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 261This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as
211the same JSON string (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled, 262the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled,
212the same hash migh be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 263the same hash migh be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
213as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 264as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
214 265
215This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. 266This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
216 267
217=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 268=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
218 269
219If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 270If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
220non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 271non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
221which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 272which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
222values instead of croaking. 273values instead of croaking.
223 274
224If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will croak if it isn't 275If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will croak if it isn't
225passed an arrayref or hashref, as JSON strings must either be an object 276passed an arrayref or hashref, as JSON texts must either be an object
226or array. Likewise, C<decode> will croak if given something that is not a 277or array. Likewise, C<decode> will croak if given something that is not a
227JSON object or array. 278JSON object or array.
279
280Example, encode a Perl scalar as JSON value with enabled C<allow_nonref>,
281resulting in an invalid JSON text:
282
283 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
284 => "Hello, World!"
228 285
229=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable]) 286=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
230 287
231Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for 288Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
232strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either 289strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
233C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save 290C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save
234memory when your JSON strings are either very very long or you have many 291memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many
235short strings. It will also try to downgrade any strings to octet-form 292short strings. It will also try to downgrade any strings to octet-form
236if possible: perl stores strings internally either in an encoding called 293if possible: perl stores strings internally either in an encoding called
237UTF-X or in octet-form. The latter cannot store everything but uses less 294UTF-X or in octet-form. The latter cannot store everything but uses less
238space in general. 295space in general.
239 296
245 302
246In the future, this setting might control other things, such as converting 303In the future, this setting might control other things, such as converting
247strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats 304strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
248internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space. 305internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
249 306
307=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
308
309Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<8192>) accepted while encoding
310or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or
311higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will
312stop and croak at that point.
313
314Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder
315needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[>
316characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a
317given character in a string.
318
319Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures
320that the object is only a single hash/object or array.
321
322The argument to C<max_depth> will be rounded up to the next nearest power
323of two.
324
325See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
326
250=item $json_string = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 327=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
251 328
252Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 329Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference
253to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 330to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be
254converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays 331converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays
255become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined 332become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined
256Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true> 333Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true>
257nor C<false> values will be generated. 334nor C<false> values will be generated.
258 335
259=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_string) 336=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
260 337
261The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON string and tries to parse it, 338The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it,
262returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 339returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
263 340
264JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become 341JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become
265Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes 342Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes
266C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>. 343C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>.
267 344
268=back 345=back
346
269 347
270=head1 MAPPING 348=head1 MAPPING
271 349
272This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and 350This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and
273vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most 351vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most
283=over 4 361=over 4
284 362
285=item object 363=item object
286 364
287A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object 365A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object
288keys is preserved. 366keys is preserved (JSON does not preserver object key ordering itself).
289 367
290=item array 368=item array
291 369
292A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl. 370A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl.
293 371
329=item hash references 407=item hash references
330 408
331Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering 409Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering
332in hash keys, they will usually be encoded in a pseudo-random order that 410in hash keys, they will usually be encoded in a pseudo-random order that
333can change between runs of the same program but stays generally the same 411can change between runs of the same program but stays generally the same
334within the single run of a program. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash 412within a single run of a program. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash
335keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure 413keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure
336will serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of 414will serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
337JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead. 415JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead.
338 416
339=item array references 417=item array references
379 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours. 457 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours.
380 458
381You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other, 459You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other,
382less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability. 460less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability.
383 461
462=item circular data structures
463
464Those will be encoded until memory or stackspace runs out.
465
384=back 466=back
467
385 468
386=head1 COMPARISON 469=head1 COMPARISON
387 470
388As already mentioned, this module was created because none of the existing 471As already mentioned, this module was created because none of the existing
389JSON modules could be made to work correctly. First I will describe the 472JSON modules could be made to work correctly. First I will describe the
415 498
416Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic 499Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic
417values will make it croak). 500values will make it croak).
418 501
419Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}> 502Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}>
420which is not a valid JSON string. 503which is not a valid JSON text.
421 504
422Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 505Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not
423getting fixed). 506getting fixed).
424 507
425=item JSON::Syck 0.21 508=item JSON::Syck 0.21
427Very buggy (often crashes). 510Very buggy (often crashes).
428 511
429Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 512Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much
430undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a 513undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a
431single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to 514single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to
432generate ASCII-only JSON strings). 515generate ASCII-only JSON texts).
433 516
434Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode 517Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode
435escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to 518escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to
436I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour). 519I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour).
437 520
460 543
461Very inflexible. 544Very inflexible.
462 545
463No roundtripping. 546No roundtripping.
464 547
465Does not generate valid JSON (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys 548Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys
466result in nothing being output) 549result in nothing being output)
467 550
468Does not check input for validity. 551Does not check input for validity.
469 552
470=back 553=back
474It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 557It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
475tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program 558tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
476in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own 559in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
477system. 560system.
478 561
479First is a comparison between various modules using a very simple JSON 562First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short JSON
563string:
564
565 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], "id": null}
566
480string, showing the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS is 567It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses the
481the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 is the OO interface with 568functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface with
482pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled). 569pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled). Higher is better:
483 570
484 module | encode | decode | 571 module | encode | decode |
485 -----------|------------|------------| 572 -----------|------------|------------|
486 JSON | 14006 | 6820 | 573 JSON | 11488.516 | 7823.035 |
487 JSON::DWIW | 200937 | 120386 | 574 JSON::DWIW | 94708.054 | 129094.260 |
488 JSON::PC | 85065 | 129366 | 575 JSON::PC | 63884.157 | 128528.212 |
489 JSON::Syck | 59898 | 44232 | 576 JSON::Syck | 34898.677 | 42096.911 |
490 JSON::XS | 1171478 | 342435 | 577 JSON::XS | 654027.064 | 396423.669 |
491 JSON::XS/2 | 730760 | 328714 | 578 JSON::XS/2 | 371564.190 | 371725.613 |
492 -----------+------------+------------+ 579 -----------+------------+------------+
493 580
494That is, JSON::XS is 6 times faster than than JSON::DWIW and about 80 581That is, JSON::XS is more than six times faster than JSON::DWIW on
582encoding, more than three times faster on decoding, and about thirty times
495times faster than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. 583faster than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting.
496 584
497Using a longer test string (roughly 8KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 585Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
498search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 586search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg):
499 587
500 module | encode | decode | 588 module | encode | decode |
501 -----------|------------|------------| 589 -----------|------------|------------|
502 JSON | 673 | 38 | 590 JSON | 273.023 | 44.674 |
503 JSON::DWIW | 5271 | 770 | 591 JSON::DWIW | 1089.383 | 1145.704 |
504 JSON::PC | 9901 | 2491 | 592 JSON::PC | 3097.419 | 2393.921 |
505 JSON::Syck | 2360 | 786 | 593 JSON::Syck | 514.060 | 843.053 |
506 JSON::XS | 37398 | 3202 | 594 JSON::XS | 6479.668 | 3636.364 |
507 JSON::XS/2 | 13765 | 3153 | 595 JSON::XS/2 | 3774.221 | 3599.124 |
508 -----------+------------+------------+ 596 -----------+------------+------------+
509 597
510Again, JSON::XS leads by far in the encoding case, while still beating 598Again, JSON::XS leads by far.
511every other module in the decoding case.
512 599
513Last example is an almost 8MB large hash with many large binary values 600On large strings containing lots of high unicode characters, some modules
514(PNG files), resulting in a lot of escaping: 601(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
602will be broken due to missing (or wrong) unicode handling. Others refuse
603to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
604comparison table for that case.
605
606
607=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
608
609When you are using JSON in a protocol, talking to untrusted potentially
610hostile creatures requires relatively few measures.
611
612First of all, your JSON decoder should be secure, that is, should not have
613any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am
614trying hard on making that true, but you never know.
615
616Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should
617limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your
618resources run out, thats just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that
619can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is
620usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode
621it into a Perl structure.
622
623Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
624arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64
625machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays
626but only 14k nested JSON objects. If that is exceeded, the program
627crashes. Thats why the default nesting limit is set to 8192. If your
628process has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly
629with the C<max_depth> method.
630
631And last but least, something else could bomb you that I forgot to think
632of. In that case, you get to keep the pieces. I am alway sopen for hints,
633though...
634
515 635
516=head1 BUGS 636=head1 BUGS
517 637
518While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 638While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
519not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 639not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is
520still very young and not well-tested. If you keep reporting bugs they will 640still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they
521be fixed swiftly, though. 641will be fixed swiftly, though.
522 642
523=cut 643=cut
524 644
5251; 6451;
526 646

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